Changes

===Church of Serbia===

===Church of Serbia===

This church was devastated by [[communism]], and later confused by the nationalist movement of [[Slobodan Milosevic]].  Though the bishops did not fall for his “Orthodoxy is Nationalism” heresy many of the poorly-prepared Orthodox laity did.  The results were devastating. The spiritual heartland of this Church is [[Kosovo]] where Prince Lazar and the peoples of eastern Europe attempted to defend their homeland against the invading Ottoman Empire in 1389.  He lost, and animosity accrued over the ages as the Serbs continued to keep their Orthodox heritage, but the Albanians adopted the religion of their conquerors.  In more recent times Muslim Albanians waged a guerilla war against the Orthodox Serbs that led to the destruction of many centuries-old monasteries and churches.  The Orthodox Church is very concerned with the heartland of the Church being ripped away from Serbia and has urged fighting to prevent this from occurring.<ref>[http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSHAM738779 Serb church urges state of war over Kosovo], Reuters, Feb 17, 2008.</ref>

This church was devastated by communism, and later confused by the nationalist movement of [[Slobodan Milosevic]].  Though the bishops did not fall for his “Orthodoxy is Nationalism” heresy many of the poorly-prepared Orthodox laity did.  There is video evidence of collusion between priests of the Orthodox Church and paramilitaries directly involved in the [[Srebrenica massacre]].<ref>[http://www.domovina.net/tribunal/ictytv/050601_milosevic_eng.ram Video of Orthodox priest blessing members of the Scorpions]</ref>

 

Serbs consider the spiritual heartland of their Church to be [[Kosovo]], where Prince Lazar lost a significant battle to the Ottoman Empire in 1389.  Currently the Orthodox church is a leader in the effort to deny Kosovo's independence, going so far as to call for violence against Kosovar Albanians and NATO and EU peacekeepers.<ref>[http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSHAM738779 Serb church urges state of war over Kosovo], Reuters, Feb 17, 2008.</ref>

===Church of Romania===

===Church of Romania===

===Church of Poland===

===Church of Poland===

This Church has existed since the 9th Century when it was established by [[Saint Cyril]] and [[Saint Methodious]] but was part of the Church of Constantinople for most of its history.  In the 15th century most of the Orthodox in Poland fell away into Roman heresy and formed one of the Eastern-Rite Catholic Churches in communion with the Pope of [[Rome]].  In 1924 this much diminished Church was granted autocephaly. After WWII part of western Byelorussia was added to Poland.  With the territory came many Orthodox Christians.  Most Orthodox in Poland are descendants of these former Byelorussians.

This Church has existed since the 9th Century when it was established by the brothers [[Saint Cyril]] and [[Saint Methodius]] but was part of the Church of Constantinople for most of its history.  In the 15th century most of the Orthodox in Poland fell away into Roman heresy and formed one of the Eastern-Rite Catholic Churches in communion with the Pope of [[Rome]].  In 1924 this much diminished Church was granted autocephaly. After WWII part of western Byelorussia was added to Poland.  With the territory came many Orthodox Christians.  Most Orthodox in Poland are descendants of these former Byelorussians.

===Church of the Czech and Slovak Lands===

===Church of the Czech and Slovak Lands===

Several monasteries have been established for men and women, and two (one in New York and one in Miami) have converted from other churches and have become Orthodox monasteries.

Several monasteries have been established for men and women, and two (one in New York and one in Miami) have converted from other churches and have become Orthodox monasteries.

 

[[category: Christian Denominations]]

[[category: Christian Denominations]]